Many of you may already know that Branson is famous for its culture of live shows, but there is so much more to Branson than meets the eye. Even today, Country Boulevard is lined with active theaters that are guaranteed to be a great night out. Head to the famous Shepherd of the Hills to experience an outdoor theater experience like no other. If you like history, you can be interested in Titanic Museum, while thrillseekers can head off to the nearby Table Rock State Park. There are also other places to enjoy such as Hollywood Wax Museum and World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex. Heading to Missouri anytime soon? Let us help you plan your trip. Book a vacation rental or family resort and scroll down for the best things to do in Branson, Missouri.
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1. Learn about Missouri's winemaking history
Did you know that Missouri has a long history of winemaking? Branson VIP Wine Tasting and Dinner Tour offers you a wonderful food and wine tour around Branson that’s sure to give you a new insight into the state of Missouri.
The tour will take you either to three wineries or to two wineries and the Missouri Ridge distillery based on availability. The tour guides will also teach you about the history of the destination and give you tips on the best places to eat and visit to maximize your enjoyment of the city.
Book Tours : Branson Winetasting Tour with 3-Course Dinner
2. Ride through Branson's hills and woods at Branson Alpine Mountain Coaster
Branson Alpine Mountain Coaster is a family-friendly and eco-friendly alpine coaster where you can use a single driver or double driver coaster that goes through the Ozark Woods and takes advantage of Branson’s hills to create a thrilling and relaxing ride through nature.
Having full control over the brakes, you are able to choose whether to ride through the woods and hills at a moderate speed or get your adrenaline pumping by releasing the breaks and proceeding through the tracks at speeds more than 30 mph (48.2 kph)!
Book Tours : Branson Alpine Mountain Coaster Ticket
3. Visit Titanic Museum
You’ve probably already seen the Titanic movie, but have you ever wondered what life on board this infamous vessel would’ve really been like? Get on board this detailed replica of the Titanic and enjoy a self-guided tour that can lead you down to the cabins. Gaze in wonder at the magnificent parlors and the Grand Staircase. In this unique museum, you can also witness more than 400 original artifacts that once belonged to this ship and the passengers. You will see a real iceberg and hear more about this fated vessel.
Book Tours : Titanic Museum Branson Admission Ticket
4. Have fun with the kids at Silver Dollar City
Voted one of America’s top theme parks by USA Today, Silver Dollar City has everything, from heart-racing plummets to gentle rides. It’s a great day trip destination for the family. Some favorite traditional attractions include the wooden cowboy-styled Outlaw Run and Time Traveller with lots of loop-de-loops. There are other unique attractions to enjoy including Flooded Mine, where you have to escape the water rushing into the mines.
Silver Dollar City
Address: 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson, MO 65616, United States
Website: Silver Dollar City
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 1pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 9pm
Price: 72 USD
5. Watch an outdoor performance at The Shepherd of the Hills
This action-packed live performance is based on a famous historical novel published in 1907. Enjoy the live performance on a stage and learn more about the Ozark Mountains of Missouri in the late 1800s. In total, there are over 90 actors and actresses that take part in the exquisite show. That’s not all though. Life in the 1800s included livestock, so you can even expect to see horses, sheep, mules, and even donkeys during the performance. Of course, there will also be a live gun shoot-out. Adults and children alike can surely appreciate the experience.
The Shepherd of the Hills
Address: 5586 W 76 Country Boulevard, Branson, MO 65616
Website: The Shepherd of the Hills
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 9am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 10pm
Price: 40 USD
6. Go swimming at White Water
On a sunny day, you can pack your bags and head straight for water-filled fun at White Water. This spacious park covers 13 acres (5.3 hectares) and uses 2 million gallons of water. There are plenty of slides, gentle floats, and extreme rushes to keep everyone happy. Whether you want to be speeding past your friends or enjoying a paddle, this establishment has plenty of attractions you can surely enjoy. Some of the highlights include KaPau Plummet and the gentle Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay.
White Water
Address: White Water, Silver Dollar City, 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson, MO 65616
Website: White Water
Price: 72 USD
7. Enjoy an animal safari at Branson's Promised Land Zoo
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If anyone has an interest in animals, they are sure to enjoy Branson’s Promised Land Zoo. This wildlife park offers a unique opportunity to see a number of animals up close. Here, you can learn more about their natural environments and feeding habits. There are also a number of live shows to showcase their abilities. Guests can have the experience of bottle feeding younger animals such as zebras, camels, goats, and deers.
Branson's Promised Land Zoo
Address: 2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expy, Branson, MO 65616
Website: Branson’s Promised Land Zoo
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 22 USD
8. Board a train at Branson Scenic Railway
This beautiful vintage passenger train can take you on a one-hour-and-a-half round trip. You can see the views of the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, traverse bridges, and go through tunnels. On special days throughout the year, they also offer dinner so you can truly imagine what life was like on the vintage trains. Seating is unassigned, and passengers are encouraged to visit the three cars so that everyone can enjoy a full panoramic experience. This is a great date night idea if you’re looking for romantic things to do in the city.
Branson Scenic Railway
Address: 206 E Main, Branson, MO 65616
Website: Branson Scenic Railway
Opening hours: Wed: 2pm - 6:30pm (closed from Thu - Tue)
Price: 46 USD
9. Take your children to World's Largest Toy Museum Complex
Whether you’ve got children in your party or you consider yourself young at heart, World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex is a must-visit. There are six museums where you can find all of your own childhood toys plus a fair few others. There is a large collection of over one million toys. Highlights include a set of over 500 BB guns and 300 beautifully handcrafted bears. The museum also has interactive exhibits to play with.
Book Tours : World's Largest Toy Museum Admission in Branson
10. Walk through The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure
Have fun strolling through Butterfly Aviary and witness beautiful exotic butterflies. This unique experience can whisk you away to a tropical land where you can really see the delicate butterflies as they flutter past you. You can choose to simply stroll around this magical land, or let your children get really close up. They can borrow child-sized binoculars and magnifying glasses on site. Many of the butterflies are under strict USDA control for their protection.
The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure
Address: 4106 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616, United States
Website: The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 22 USD
11. Go camping at Table Rock State Park
For a slightly non-touristy thing to do, why not go camping? Known as the local base point for nature activities, this park is fantastic if you are searching for outdoor fun. You can rent five different boat types. From premier slide boats to ranger fishing boats, you can easily enjoy spending a few hours on the water. Of course, there are always paddle boats. On land, you can enjoy camping and exploring the natural hiking and biking trails around the area. When you feel like you need a rest, you can simply take a break in one of the many picnic sites.
Table Rock State Park
Address: 380 State Park Marina Road, Branson, Missouri 65616
Website: Table Rock State Park
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
12. Enjoy a wonderful theater experience at The Dutton Family Theater Show in Branson
Enjoy a unique theater atmosphere and the wonderful sounds of instruments when you catch The Dutton Family Theater Show in Branson. Recommended for the whole family, the nightly performances showcase the wonderful musical skill of the famous and multi-talented Dutton Family who were finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and were featured in Nickelodeon’s Americas Most Musical Family.
Hear the amazing range of genres that this family can play, from bluegrass to contemporary rock to classical, while you dance to their wonderful music!
Book Tours : The Dutton Show at the Dutton Family Theater
13. Solve a murder mystery over dinner
Enjoy a great murder mystery show while eating your dinner with the WhoDunnit Hoedown: Murder Mystery Dinner show. Figure out the mystery presented by the performers as you eat your meals and feel like you’re part of the story as the performers interact with the audience. You’d feel like a great detective when you illuminate the various mysteries you’re presented with!
It’s not all grim and serious though as you’re also promised some laughs along the way. Whether you solve the mystery or not, this dinner show guarantees a fun and unforgettable dining experience.
14. Have a fun, family-bonding time at Fritz's Adventure
Get ready for a fun time at Fritz’s Adventure! This family-friendly indoor amusement park offers a wide variety of attractions that are entertaining for the whole family. The kids can try going up the multi-level rope course and the climbing wall. The whole family can play a round of laser tag in the laser room.
There are giant treehouses for the kids to play in and multi-story slides for them to enjoy. No matter what, Fritz’s Adventure promises nothing but smiles and laughter!
Book Tours : Branson All-Access Pass to Fritz’s Adventure Park
15. Pose with celebrities at Hollywood Wax Museum
It’s not every day that you can come face-to-face with your favorite celebrities. Hollywood Wax Museum can allow you to do just that. From famous movie stars to a giant ape, this can make for a great day out with the whole family. The figures are so lifelike, and you can have plenty of opportunities to get realistic photos. Wondering who you can expect to see? Some of the most popular figures include John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, and Charlie Chaplin, to name a few.
Book Tours : Hollywood Wax Museum Admission
Discover the delights of Branson
Branson has plenty of family-friendly attractions you can definitely check out when you visit. Whether you are a history buff or a thrillseeker, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Accommodations like luxury or pet-friendly cabins are popular, too. Plan your holiday, and be sure to check out the best things to do in Branson, Missouri, for an organized trip.
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